Breed Comparison: Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Irish Setter

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter

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Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Irish Setter: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and for the Irish Setter. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Irish Setter

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter: Overview

A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever to the Irish Setter based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Setter
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 60 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1350 $1680
Price Range $1150 – $1800 $1200 – $2200
Temperament Score 92.0 percent 90.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 94 74
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 18 35

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Irish Setter. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Flat-Coated Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter

    The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter

    The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are most similar:

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are very easy to train.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Irish Setter.

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 154 Irish Setters.

    Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Irish Setter

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Setter is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Setter
    Average Price $1350 $1680
    Price Range $1150 to $1800 $1200 to $2200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Irish Setter puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter

    The Intelligence of the Flat-Coated Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter

    Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Setter
    Intelligence Rank 18 out of 130 dog breeds 35 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Flat-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Flat-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever is more intelligent than the Irish Setter.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Irish Setter

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Year Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank Irish Setter Popularity Rank
    2013 94 72
    2014 92 73
    2015 86 72
    2016 89 76
    2017 96 72
    2018 91 77
    2019 104 79
    2020 102 75

    Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Irish Setter

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Irish Setter is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Irish Setters.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Flat-Coated Retrievers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.

    Irish Setter Health Problems

    Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Irish Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Setters for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and Irish Setters

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 28 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 85 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 129 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 129 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 172 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Setters, and how common these diseases are in Irish Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 13 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 35 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 67 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 92 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 99 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter:

    Disease Flat-Coated Retriever Rank Irish Setter Rank
    Thyroid problems 28 out of 115 dog breeds 13 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 85 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 129 out of 144 dog breeds 92 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 129 out of 182 dog breeds 67 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 172 out of 198 dog breeds 99 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 35 out of 70 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Irish Setter?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Irish Setter

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Irish Setters?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Irish Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Irish Setter?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Irish Setter

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Irish Setters?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Irish Setter?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Setter:

  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Setter (83 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Setter.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Sealyham Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Briard     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Border Collie     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Dogo Argentino     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shiba Inu     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Brittany     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Saint Bernard     

    Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Setter versus Saint Berdoodle     Irish Setter versus Sealyham Terrier     Irish Setter versus Dachshund     Irish Setter versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Irish Setter versus Kuvasz     Irish Setter versus Harrier     Irish Setter versus Yorkshire Terrier     Irish Setter versus Belgian Malinois     Irish Setter versus Whoodle     Irish Setter versus Pyrenean Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.